Amman: The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jordan on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The memo aims to enhance joint cooperation and providing the necessary technical support to facilitate access of persons with disabilities to the agency’s services and ensure protection of the rights of disabled Palestinian refugees during 2023-2028.
The memo was signed by HCD’s President, Prince Mired bin Ra’ad, and Olaf Becker, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prince Mired stressed the need to adopt a new approach to further promote rights of persons with disabilities and frame partnership with UNRWA to work to align and achieve common strategic goals.
The memo aims to strengthen partnership within the framework of implementing a blanket policy to integrate students with disabilities in UNRWA schools, in line with the comprehensive national policy frameworks of Jordanian government and other international guidelines.
In addition, the MoU promotes comprehensive social and cultural awareness in health, educational and recreational activities for children with disabilities.
It also aims to enhance access of persons with disabilities to health, rehabilitation and support devices, and build both sides’ worker capacity in health, relief, social services, education, emergency fields, and this group’s protection programs.
The agreement provides technical support on accessibility requirements and facilitation arrangements that should be provided to ensure access for persons with disabilities to various facilities and intervention services, and support national initiatives aimed to confront environmental and behavioral barriers that prevent disabled Palestinian refugees from accessing services.
For his part, Becker lauded Prince Mired’s efforts and HCD’s role in raising awareness and social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Jordan.
Becker said continued integration and protection of the most vulnerable people is a main priority in building a society to achieve opportunities, hope and prosperity for all.
He also noted the memo contributes to improving the social, cultural and economic participation of Palestinian refugees with disabilities in Jordan.
The two sides voiced keenness to cooperate in advocacy in national, regional and international events, with a primary focus on protecting and promoting rights of Palestinian refugees with disabilities.
Source: Jordan News Agency